‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Casting News: Nikki Reed Pushing Husband Ian Somerhalder For The Role Of Jack Hyde?

With Fifty Shades Darker finally signing on a director to helm the hit franchise, all eyes are now focused on who will be cast to play the new characters that are set to be introduced in the sequel. While it’s anyone’s guess who will play the new parts, reports indicate that Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder may be seriously considering trying out for the role of Jack Hyde.

Hyde is set to be introduced as one of the main villains in the Fifty Shades of Grey sequel. Hyde is Anastasia Steele’s (Dakota Johnson) new boss in Fifty Shades Darker, who does his best to get with Ana. This friction pits Hyde against Ana’s former dominant, Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), as the two fight over her love.

As far as Somerhalder’s interest in the role is concerned, Celeb Dirty Laundry is reporting that his wife, Nikki Reed, is strongly urging the actor to try out for the part. Apparently, Reed is concerned about her husband’s image and constant connection with his ex-girlfriend, Nina Dobrev. In order to separate him from this association, Reed wants Somerhalder to leave The Vampire Diaries and pursue a career in film.

While these reports are pure speculation and rumor at this point, fans are clearly excited at the prospects of Somerhalder playing Hyde. Further, given Somerhalder’s history with Dobrev and The Vampire Diaries, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if the actor decided to take his wife’s advice and expand his career to the big screen. Whatever decision he makes, Somerhalder and his wife have yet to officially address the rumors.

Meanwhile, Somerhalder is only one of many names that have been recently associated with the role, including Henry Cavill (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) and Theo James. Although Cavill has officially declared that he will not be playing the part of Hyde in the sequel, it isn’t known if James’ is considering the part.

Whatever ends up happening, an announcement is expected to occur any time now. With the sequel now set with a new director in James Foley (House of Cards), producers will need to fill in these major parts if they want the movie to stay on schedule and be released on time.

Fifty Shades Darker is scheduled to premiere in theaters in February of 2017, while the third part in the trilogy, Fifty Shades Freed, is set for a February 2018 release.

[Image Courtesy: The CW]